Status of speciality training in ophthalmology in India

To systematically evaluate the quality of ophthalmology training in India.

Questionnaires were sent to existing medical schools and accredited training institutions. Institutions were followed up thrice to obtain responses. Data were analysed using Stata 8.0.

Responses were received from 128 (89.5%) of the 143 institutions. Each year, 900 training slots were available across the country. Faculty: student ratios were better in accredited training institutions than in postgraduate medical schools. Fifty three (41.4%) of 128 institutions subscribed to more than 2 international journals. Fewer than 1 in 6 institutions conducted research projects. 11 (8.6%) institutions reported more than five publications in international peer-reviewed journals over three years. Only a third of the responding institutions had a wet lab.

There is a need to improve the training facilities and optimally utilise the infrastructure available in postgraduate medical schools.